JEE Main & Advanced Mathematics Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction Question Bank General term, Coefficient of any power of x, Independent term, Middle term and Greatest term and Greatest coefficient

  • question_answer
    If the coefficients of \[{{x}^{2}}\]and \[{{x}^{3}}\]in the expansion of \[{{(3+ax)}^{9}}\] are the same, then the value of a is     [DCE 2001]

    A) \[-\frac{7}{9}\]

    B) \[-\frac{9}{7}\]

    C) \[\frac{7}{9}\]

    D) \[\frac{9}{7}\]

    Correct Answer: D

    Solution :

    \[{{T}_{r+1}}={}^{\text{9}}{{C}_{r}}{{(3)}^{9-r}}{{(ax)}^{r}}={}^{\text{9}}{{C}_{r}}{{(3)}^{9-r}}{{a}^{r}}{{x}^{r}}\] \[\therefore \] Coefficient of \[{{x}^{r}}\]= \[{}^{9}{{C}_{r}}{{3}^{9-r}}{{a}^{r}}\] Hence, coefficient of \[{{x}^{2}}={}^{9}{{C}_{2}}{{3}^{9-2}}{{a}^{2}}\] and coefficient of \[{{x}^{\text{3}}}\] = \[{}^{9}{{C}_{3}}{{3}^{9-3}}{{a}^{3}}\] So, we must have \[{}^{9}{{C}_{2}}{{3}^{7}}{{a}^{2}}={}^{9}{{C}_{3}}{{3}^{6}}{{a}^{3}}\] Þ \[\frac{9.8}{1.2}.3=\frac{9.8.7}{1.2.3}.a\,\,\,\Rightarrow \,\,a=\frac{9}{7}.\]


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